Mulbin Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Hi all, I just picked up an XL cheap. It all seems to be functioning and I was planning to refurbish and clean the case and keys. But I'm getting an odd result on the RAM test. Only 40 boxes appear, all green, before it loops round and re-tests each one. Does this mean a chip is completely missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mulbin Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 I've just noticed that typing ?FRE(0) also seems to return 37902... the correct number for a 48k machine! Did Atari release 48k XLs in the UK?! Or do I just have some missing memory? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundGammon Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 You need to disable the built in Basic. Turn off computer, hold option button down, turn computer back on. If the screen comes up to the memory test screen, you're ready to test all the memory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roydea6 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Hold OPTION to disable basic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodByteXL Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 I've just noticed that typing ?FRE(0) also seems to return 37902... the correct number for a 48k machine! Did Atari release 48k XLs in the UK?! Or do I just have some missing memory? The rest is already 'in use' -> in BASIC type: POKE 740,0:B.<RETURN> Start Memory Test - the missing 'blocks' already in use are shown in red. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mulbin Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 (edited) Ahh ok! I'm too used to my 48k 400... not up to speed with this modern technology! Presumably because I initiated the test from basic using the BYE command? The option key is a bit temperamental but I'll keep jiggling it until it works. Edited March 29, 2018 by Mulbin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 that's the correct number for a 64k machine. remember, you need to exclude OS and BASIC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 (edited) When BASIC is enabled (by default) it "overlays" 8KB of the RAM address space, turning it ROM. Holding option allows that 8KB to be RAM, and can then be tested by the self test. There are other 3rd party test programs that will test the additional 16KB under the OS ROM as well. Edited March 29, 2018 by Nezgar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mulbin Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 yep, got the sticky option key to work now (someone probably spilled a can of Quatro on it in the 80s), scanning the full amount now. Was using the BYE command before which was running the test without freeing basic memory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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